1840.] 



of the Peninsula of India. 



23 



bill blue at base, greenish in centre and yellow at tip j legs reddish 

 yellow ; claws pale yellow. Length 8 to 8^ inches ; wing 4T%ths ; 

 tail 2-'V'hs to 3j tarsus I inch ; bill to front rVhs; at gape lAth. 



I may here mention, that I think there exists another species of Pastor, 

 nearly allied to this, and differing only in size and in the colour of the 

 head and neck, which are permanently grey, instead of assuming a 

 white plumage. I possess only one specimen of this bird, shot in the 

 Northern Circars, but have seen and shot it in the Carnatic, during the 

 cold season, frequenting the tops of high trees. It may be considered 

 as the young of P. pagodarum, but besides the difference of size, and 

 various peculiarities of both plumage and structure, as I never saw it 

 in company with it, and have reason to believe that the young birds of 

 the latter early assume the black colour of the head, I think it certainly- 

 distinct. Again it may be considered as the young of the P. Malabari- 

 cuSf to which it has certainly a strong resemblance ; but as I never 

 saw that species in the Carnatic, nor in the Northern Circars, 1 think 

 that this supposition is also unUkely. If distinct, it may be named P, 

 cinereus. Is this the Gracula cine l ea from Bengal, mentioned in Les- 

 son's Traiie? Length of my si>ecimen 7h inches ; of wing 4 ; tail 2| ; 

 tarsus barely 1 ; bill to front Toi^hs ; at gape about 1 inch. Bill and 

 legs as in Past. Malaharicus, except that the bill is yellow only at the 

 tip, instead of for more than half its length, 



167 — P' roseus, Temm. — Tardus roseus, Gmel., Lath. — Tillyer, H. — 

 Cholum bird of Europeans in the Carnatic. 



This well known species makes its appearance in the peninsula of 

 India about the end of November, or beginning of December : asso- 

 ciates in vast flocks, and commits great havoc on the grain-fields, especi- 

 ally in those of ChoJum (or Joaree,) {Andmpogon Sorghum), whence 

 its common name. "When the grain is cut, it occasionally feeds on in- 

 sects, seeking them on the ground, also on various grass seeds, fruit and 

 flewer buds. It disappears in March, though straggling parties are 

 met with even in April. The majority of birds in a flock are in im- 

 perfect plumage, the delicate salmon colour of the adult bird being 

 replaced by a dirty fawn colour. 



I extract from Mr. Elliot's notes the following interesting observations 

 on this species. " Is very voracious and injurious to the crops, parti- 

 cularly to the white Jowaree, in the fields of which the farmer is 

 obliged to station numerous watchers, who, with slings, and a long rope 



